I got rid of most of my clothes from just 2 or 3 years ago last year. I now have almost a completely new wardrobe. And I kind of feel wasteful doing that, but it was important. Why was it important? I got rid of them, because I was laying aside the weights of eating disorder that I had had for so long, the feelings that I HAD to be size ‘small’ to be healthy.

Living in an America is a privilege. In fact, it’s a gift, a gift that can’t be taken for granted.

I so often forget just how much others have given, sacrificed for the freedom that we enjoy today. I have such a wonderful, comfortable, peaceful life, and yet today I am still reminded that it did not come cheaply.

Our freedom came at a price. It came at a high cost, and today, I want to especially honor the lives of men and women who passed on 9/11/2001.

My Friday favorites include so many things that we would not have without the sacrifice, the Christ like sacrifice of those who have gone before. Here, I want to honor their memories with my Friday favorites.

I am thankful for safe flights across the country. I am thankful for God’s protection.

2. I am thankful for trade and industry, things that would not have been possible if we were still in a constant state of unrest and war. They provide things like food and clothes from all different parts of the world and the country.

3. I am thankful for family and cousins. I am thankful that none of them have died through war or famine or starvation. Yet, it always sobers me to think, that this, too, did not come at no cost.

My sentiment echoes those of the Psalmist in Psalm 103:1-4 when he says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;”

We all have those quirks, those unusual things about us that make us um… different from the status quo. Some like ketchup and onion sandwiches. (Ewww…) Some like peanut butter in their cottage cheese. (I have found that this is something that is epidemic among bloggers, but the rest of the world things it’s weird.) Others LOVE running on a treadmill. (That is definitely something I don’t quite understand)

What makes you different? What are some quirks about you that just kind of set you apart (not like a sore thumb), but like the unique person God created you to be?

Here are some of mine:

1. I’m not a typical girl who loves fashion. I hate wearing make-up. I absolutely hate it. I only wear it when I have to, which is when I’m part of a wedding party or a stage play. Besides that, I would much rather just wash my face, brush my hair, and wear a nice, simple outfit.

2. I also don’t really like wearing jewelry. Occasionally, I will put on a ring, but I fidget so much with it (take it on… take it off…) I usually end up losing it in the process of 24 hours of wearing it.

3. This also means that I definitely can fall into the ditch of being a slob. I love wearing comfortable clothes, but I’m not so concerned about them looking ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’, which has embarrassed some of my acquaintances before. I’m getting better at this, but I can definitely say that I will probably never spend more than 20 minutes on a beauty routine (hair, face, jewelry, clothes, etc.)

4. I am a complete minimalist. I love taking stuff to Goodwill that I don’t use or wear anymore. My wardrobe is extremely small, but it works for me. 😀

5. I love getting dirty. I absolutely love it… AS LONG as I can take a shower afterwards. But digging my toes in the dirt, swishing them in the mud, and pulling weeds out of the ground makes me happy.

Signing off with another furry puppy picture, because I just can’t get enough of them!!!!

Me being a crazy person with the kids I was babysitting. ;-D The hoodie in the photo? That’s the Fabletics Chelsea Hoodie that I wear at least 3 or 4 days a week…

This post is not sponsored in any way. It’s just my personal rave review about a fitness clothing line I found that I finally love!

I’ve always been super picky when it comes to workout clothes. Either that, or I’m very afraid of trying new clothes outside of my comfort zone. For 5 or 6 years, I wore anything that was loose or baggy in order to hide myself inside, because I thought more about how people looked at my body, than anything else. I didn’t like tight clothes, because they made me ‘feel fat.’ I finally realized just how vain I was, and just how much I cared about things that didn’t matter, instead of looking to the Lord Jesus as the Creator of my body and using it to serve Him and be active in His kingdom.
Then I found Ashley’s blog. She served as a great source of honest encouragement and sunshine as the past of my obsessive thoughts about eating and exercise began to fade. She reminded me to focus on Jesus and the things that God has given me like family, travel, a wonderful church, a home, the ability to move and enjoy the outdoors, and enjoy new experiences. And now, she is the mama of not one but 2 children, one still waiting to arrive. :o)

Ashley is a very feminine beautiful woman, and she started posting about Fabletics and her outfits that she received. I noticed how feminine, modest, and functional they were, and I finally decided to give them a try.

The result? I love them.

Why do I love them?

1. They’re COMFORTABLE. I love workout clothes that are not just functional but comfortable. My Fabletics purchases serve dual purpose for working around the house and working out. They are extremely light weight, and the material doesn’t irritate my skin either, which is a huge plus for me. I purchased the items below:

a. Chelsea Hoodie – This is by far my favorite purchase. It is a super breathable hoodie that keeps you warm on a cool day, but it doesn’t stifle you if you just love it so much, you want to wear it on the days that are a bit um… warmer?

b. Aventura Tank – This one is comfortable. The arm holes are bit to big for me to be comfortable wearing it without a jacket, but I wear it if I’m working out by myself or for a PJ/around the house shirt. 🙂

c. Camacan Capri – Definitely a winner. They have survived me practicing my hamstring stretches, Chinese split attempts, and other body contortions that might have ripped a less durable pair of capris.

d. Brook Tee II – It’s pink, and that’s my favorite color. ‘Nough said. I did get the small size, but I didn’t realize exactly what they meant when they said loose, so it’s a bit loose, but I really don’t mind.

2. They are colorful. Even my black capris have these cool, colorful purple and pink stripes down the sides that make the leggings stand out, more than the normal pair of sports capris you might get at Walmart.

3. They are feminine. I don’t know about you, but when I dress for working out, I don’t like dressing uni-sex, and I often don’t like the gray, black, and more black sports clothes that look like they could be a guy’s or a girl’s. I love being a woman and looking like one! I don’t mean that everyone needs to wear a bright pink shirt to look feminine, but it’s always nice to have a splash of feminine, beauitful color to enhance and deepen an appreciation for a woman’s ‘womanliness.’ (So creative, I know.) 🙂

The Life of the Writer

I live in the beautiful state of Colorado where 14ers are to give you all the sore legs you need, amazing skiing, plenty of other runners, glorious sunsets, majestic elk herds, and peaceful country roads with clear air.

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Go Back in Time!

Go Back in Time!

I am a very ordinary girl. I’m 24, but if you met me, you wouldn’t believe me. I am passionate about girls finding true beauty in Christ. I love peanut butter, icecream, and salad. My hobbies are cooking, baking, sharing laughs and tears with others, and sharing the fullness of joy that Christ has put in me. I love reading other blogs, and I hope that this will be a place where you can find encouragement, recipes, smiles, and joy. Click here to read more about me...